ELBERTON — Rabun County handed Elbert County its worst home loss in 13 years with a 52-14 thumping at The Granite Bowl Friday night.
Gunner Stockton threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another as the Wildcats (7-0, 4-0 Region 8-2A) never trailed and scored 17 consecutive points to end the first half to take control.
The Blue Devils (3-4, 2-2) had not suffered a home defeated that bad since a 49-0 loss to Hart County in 2006. Their worst-ever home loss was 53-0 to Washington-Wilkes in 1985.
Rabun County wasted little time needing just 47 seconds to get on the board when Tate Ramey hauled in an 8-yard pass TD Stockton for a 7-0 lead. Elbert answered right back with a 72-yard drive to tie the game just three minutes later.
But the Wildcats struck quick again when Stockton found a streaking Braxton Hicks for a 74-yard bomb two plays later to retake the lead 14-7. Edwin Diaz booted a 38-yard field goal and Cory Keller added a 30-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter for a 24-7 halftime lead.
Elbert County trimmed the lead to 24-14 on its first drive of the third quarter but Ramsey and Stockton connected on a 16-yard TD pass and Keller added a 31-yard touchdown run. Phillip Roberso had a 34-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and Stockton finished the scoring with a 1-yard run.
Rabun County piled up 478 total yards. Keller had 128 yards rushing and Hicks finished with 131 yards receiving on just three catches.
The Wildcats will play host to Social Circle next week.
